Iran has said it is more inclined to sell weapons rather than buy them, after it announced the end of a longstanding UN conventional arms embargo.

Tehran said the ban imposed more than a decade ago was lifted "automatically" as of Sunday, based on the terms of a 2015 landmark nuclear deal with world powers.

The Islamic republic's arch-enemy the United States had notably withdrawn from the deal.

"Before being a buyer in the arms market, Iran has the ability to supply" other countries, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters.

The lifting of the embargo allows Iran to buy and sell military equipment including tanks, armoured vehicles, combat aircraft, helicopters and heavy artillery.

According to Khatibzadeh, Iran will "act responsibly" and sell weapons to other countries "based on its own calculations."

The embargo on the sale of arms to Iran was due to start expiring progressively from October 18, under the terms of the UN resolution that enshrined the 2015 nuclear deal.

However, Washington has argued that arms sales to Iran would still violate UN resolutions, and has threatened sanctions on anyone involved is such deals.

President Donald Trump withdrew his country from the nuclear deal and unilaterally begun reimposing economic sanctions on Iran in 2018.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that arms sales to Iran would breach UN resolutions and result in sanctions, after Tehran said the longstanding UN embargo on arms trade with the Islamic republic had expired.

"The United States is prepared to use its domestic authorities to sanction any individual or entity that materially contributes to the supply, sale, or transfer of conventional arms to or from Iran," Pompeo said in a statement.

(with inputs from agencies)

Iran has said it is more inclined to sell weapons rather than buy them, after it announced the end of a longstanding UN conventional arms embargo. Tehran said the ban imposed more than a decade ago was lifted "automatically" as of Sunday, based on the terms of a 2015 landmark nuclear deal with world powers.

Iran has said it is more inclined to sell weapons rather than buy them, after it announced the end of a longstanding UN conventional arms embargo. Tehran said the ban imposed more than a decade ago was lifted "automatically" as of Sunday, based on the terms of a 2015 landmark nuclear deal with world powers. The Islamic republic's arch-enemy the United States had notably withdrawn from the deal. "Before being a buyer in the arms market, Iran has the ability to supply" other countries, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters. The lifting of the embargo allows Iran to buy and sell military equipment including tanks, armoured vehicles, combat aircraft, helicopters and heavy artillery. According to Khatibzadeh, Iran will "act responsibly" and sell weapons to other countries "based on its own calculations." The embargo on the sale of arms to Iran was due to start expiring progressively from October 18, under the terms of the UN resolution that enshrined the 2015 nuclear deal. However, Washington has argued that arms sales to Iran would still violate UN resolutions, and has threatened sanctions on anyone involved is such deals. President Donald Trump withdrew his country from the nuclear deal and unilaterally begun reimposing economic sanctions on Iran in 2018. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that arms sales to Iran would breach UN resolutions and result in sanctions, after Tehran said the longstanding UN embargo on arms trade with the Islamic republic had expired. "The United States is prepared to use its domestic authorities to sanction any individual or entity that materially contributes to the supply, sale, or transfer of conventional arms to or from Iran," Pompeo said in a statement. (with inputs from agencies)

Iran says will sell more arms than buy after embargo lifted

Iranian foreign ministry said on Sunday that a longstanding United Nations embargo on arm sales to and frop from Iran had expired in line with the landlmark nuclear deal reached in 2015. The ministry said that "all restrictions" were "automatically terminated".

"As of today, all restrictions on the transfer of arms, related activities and financial services to and from the Islamic Republic of Iran ... are all automatically terminated," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry further said that procurement of new arms and equipment with now take place "solely base on" Iran's "defensive needs".

"As of today, the Islamic Republic may procure any necessary arms and equipment from any source without any legal restrictions, and solely based on its defensive needs," the ministry added in the statement sent out on Twitter.

It insisted that under the terms of the deal, struck with the United States, China, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the European Union, "the lifting of arms restrictions and the travel ban were designed to be automatic with no other action required."

The landmark nuclear deal was reached during the presidency of former US President Barack Obama. It was hailed as a landmark step that would have seen considerable decrease in animosity between the USA and Iran.

However, curent US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018 and has unilaterally begun reimposing sanctions on Iran.

But Washington suffered a setback in August when it failed to win support from the United Nations Security Council to indefinitely extend the arms embargo.

It was "a momentous day for the international community," the Iranian ministry said on Sunday, adding the world had stood with Tehran "in defiance of the US regime's efforts".

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pro-iran-protesters-torch-kurd-party-offices-in-baghdad-336093">Pro-Iran protesters torch Kurd party offices in Baghdad</a> 
 
But it stressed that "unconventional arms, weapons of mass destruction and a buying spree of conventional arms have no place in Iran's defense doctrine".

Despite pulling out of the deal, the Trump administration insists it is still a "participant" and can therefore go ahead with reimposing sanctions.&nbsp;

Washington has said it has decided to unilaterally reinstate virtually all of the UN sanctions on Iran lifted under the accord.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

But the US legal argument has been rejected by almost the entire UN Security Council, with European allies of the United States saying the priority is to salvage a peaceful solution to &nbsp;Iran's nuclear programme.

Moscow said in September that it was ready to boost its military cooperation with Tehran, while Beijing has also spoken of its willingness to sell arms to Iran after October 18.

Washington maintained it will seek to prevent Iran from purchasing Chinese tanks and Russian air defence systems.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said in a tweet that the international community had "protected" the nuclear deal and Sunday marked the "normalization of Iran's cooperation with the world".

(With AFP inputs)

Iranian foreign ministry said on Sunday that a longstanding United Nations embargo on arm sales to and frop from Iran had expired in line with the landlmark nuclear deal reached in 2015.

Iranian foreign ministry said on Sunday that a longstanding United Nations embargo on arm sales to and frop from Iran had expired in line with the landlmark nuclear deal reached in 2015. The ministry said that "all restrictions" were "automatically terminated". "As of today, all restrictions on the transfer of arms, related activities and financial services to and from the Islamic Republic of Iran ... are all automatically terminated," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry further said that procurement of new arms and equipment with now take place "solely base on" Iran's "defensive needs". "As of today, the Islamic Republic may procure any necessary arms and equipment from any source without any legal restrictions, and solely based on its defensive needs," the ministry added in the statement sent out on Twitter. It insisted that under the terms of the deal, struck with the United States, China, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the European Union, "the lifting of arms restrictions and the travel ban were designed to be automatic with no other action required." The landmark nuclear deal was reached during the presidency of former US President Barack Obama. It was hailed as a landmark step that would have seen considerable decrease in animosity between the USA and Iran. However, curent US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018 and has unilaterally begun reimposing sanctions on Iran. But Washington suffered a setback in August when it failed to win support from the United Nations Security Council to indefinitely extend the arms embargo. It was "a momentous day for the international community," the Iranian ministry said on Sunday, adding the world had stood with Tehran "in defiance of the US regime's efforts". Also Read | Pro-Iran protesters torch Kurd party offices in Baghdad But it stressed that "unconventional arms, weapons of mass destruction and a buying spree of conventional arms have no place in Iran's defense doctrine". Despite pulling out of the deal, the Trump administration insists it is still a "participant" and can therefore go ahead with reimposing sanctions. Washington has said it has decided to unilaterally reinstate virtually all of the UN sanctions on Iran lifted under the accord. × But the US legal argument has been rejected by almost the entire UN Security Council, with European allies of the United States saying the priority is to salvage a peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear programme. Moscow said in September that it was ready to boost its military cooperation with Tehran, while Beijing has also spoken of its willingness to sell arms to Iran after October 18. Washington maintained it will seek to prevent Iran from purchasing Chinese tanks and Russian air defence systems. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said in a tweet that the international community had "protected" the nuclear deal and Sunday marked the "normalization of Iran's cooperation with the world". (With AFP inputs)

UN arms embargo lifted, weapons purchase will now be based on defensive needs: Iran

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that arms sales to Iran would breach UN resolutions and result in sanctions, after Tehran said the longstanding UN embargo on arms trade with the Islamic republic had expired.

"The United States is prepared to use its domestic authorities to sanction any individual or entity that materially contributes to the supply, sale, or transfer of conventional arms to or from Iran," Pompeo said in a statement.

"Every nation that seeks peace and stability in the Middle East and supports the fight against terrorism should refrain from any arms transactions with Iran."

The embargo on the sale of conventional arms to Iran was due to start expiring progressively from October 18 under the terms of the UN resolution that confirmed the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

Washington had notably withdrawn from the deal, and has tried to maintain an indefinite freeze on arms sales.

Tehran, which could now purchase weapons from Russia, China and elsewhere, hailed the development as a diplomatic victory over its arch enemy the United States,&nbsp;

"As of today, all restrictions on the transfer of arms, related activities and financial services to and from the Islamic Republic of Iran... are all automatically terminated," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"As of today, the Islamic Republic may procure any necessary arms and equipment from any source without any legal restrictions, and solely based on its defensive needs," the ministry added in the statement on Twitter.

US President Donald Trump withdrew his country from the nuclear deal in 2018 and has unilaterally begun reimposing sanctions on Iran.

But Washington suffered a setback in August when it failed to win support from the United Nations Security Council to indefinitely extend the arms embargo.

Despite pulling out of the nuclear deal, the Trump administration insists it is still a "participant" and can therefore go ahead with reimposing sanctions.&nbsp;

Washington has said it has decided to unilaterally reinstate virtually all of the UN sanctions on Iran lifted under the accord.&nbsp;

But the US legal argument has been rejected by almost the entire Security Council, with European allies of the United States saying the priority is to salvage a peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear programme.

Iran urged the US to "abandon its destructive approach vis-a-vis Resolution 2231", adding that American attempts to "violate" the resolution had been "categorically rejected several times in the past three months by the Security Council".

Moscow said in September that it was ready to boost military cooperation with Tehran, while Beijing has also spoken of its willingness to sell arms to Iran after October 18.

Washington maintained it will seek to prevent Iran from purchasing Chinese tanks and Russian air defence systems.

(with inputs)

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that arms sales to Iran would breach UN resolutions and result in sanctions, after Tehran said the longstanding UN embargo on arms trade with the Islamic republic had expired.

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that arms sales to Iran would breach UN resolutions and result in sanctions, after Tehran said the longstanding UN embargo on arms trade with the Islamic republic had expired. "The United States is prepared to use its domestic authorities to sanction any individual or entity that materially contributes to the supply, sale, or transfer of conventional arms to or from Iran," Pompeo said in a statement. "Every nation that seeks peace and stability in the Middle East and supports the fight against terrorism should refrain from any arms transactions with Iran." The embargo on the sale of conventional arms to Iran was due to start expiring progressively from October 18 under the terms of the UN resolution that confirmed the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. Washington had notably withdrawn from the deal, and has tried to maintain an indefinite freeze on arms sales. Tehran, which could now purchase weapons from Russia, China and elsewhere, hailed the development as a diplomatic victory over its arch enemy the United States, "As of today, all restrictions on the transfer of arms, related activities and financial services to and from the Islamic Republic of Iran... are all automatically terminated," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "As of today, the Islamic Republic may procure any necessary arms and equipment from any source without any legal restrictions, and solely based on its defensive needs," the ministry added in the statement on Twitter. US President Donald Trump withdrew his country from the nuclear deal in 2018 and has unilaterally begun reimposing sanctions on Iran. But Washington suffered a setback in August when it failed to win support from the United Nations Security Council to indefinitely extend the arms embargo. Despite pulling out of the nuclear deal, the Trump administration insists it is still a "participant" and can therefore go ahead with reimposing sanctions. Washington has said it has decided to unilaterally reinstate virtually all of the UN sanctions on Iran lifted under the accord. But the US legal argument has been rejected by almost the entire Security Council, with European allies of the United States saying the priority is to salvage a peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear programme. Iran urged the US to "abandon its destructive approach vis-a-vis Resolution 2231", adding that American attempts to "violate" the resolution had been "categorically rejected several times in the past three months by the Security Council". Moscow said in September that it was ready to boost military cooperation with Tehran, while Beijing has also spoken of its willingness to sell arms to Iran after October 18. Washington maintained it will seek to prevent Iran from purchasing Chinese tanks and Russian air defence systems. (with inputs)

US Secy of State Pompeo warns of sanctions for any arms sales to Iran

Solar panel farms are cropping up in Iran which is aiming to shift to renewable energy, according to the country's West Asia News Agency (WANA).

Your Story: Iran turns to solar panels in shift to renewable energy

Solar panel farms are cropping up in Iran which is aiming to shift to renewable energy, according to the country's West Asia News Agency (WANA). WANA reports that solar panel farms are emerging in several Iranian cities as well as solar energy equipment in people's homes.

Iran turns to solar panels in shift to renewable energy

The United States on Thursday slapped fresh sanctions on Iran's financial sector, targeting 18 banks in an effort to further choke off Iranian revenues as Washington ramps up pressure on Tehran weeks ahead of the U.S. election.

United States sanctions 18 major Iranian banks

The US Department of Homeland Security has issued its first annual homeland threat assessment, and as per this report, white supremacist groups pose one of the biggest threat to the country.

As per this report, the white supremacist groups have conducted more lethal attacks in the country than any other domestic extremist movement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gay-community-has-taken-over-the-proud-boys-hashtag-on-twitter-332537">Also read:&nbsp;Gay community has taken over the Proud Boys hashtag on Twitter</a>

"As Secretary, I am concerned about any form of violent extremism," wrote acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf. "However, I am particularly concerned about white supremacist violent extremists who have been exceptionally lethal in their abhorrent, targeted attacks in recent years."

The report suggests that these group demonstrate a&nbsp;&nbsp;"longstanding intent" to attack the racial groups, minority communities, politicians who do not share the same views and the&nbsp;members of the LGBTQ+ community.

This report has come at a very important time — a month before the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/us-election">US elections</a>&nbsp;that are scheduled on November 03. It also comes days after a controversy broke out when the&nbsp;US President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;asked the white supremacist group&nbsp;Proud Boys&nbsp;to "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-misses-opportunity-to-condemn-white-supremacists-group-proud-boys-331376">stand back and stand by</a>" during the first&nbsp;Presidential Debate.&nbsp;However, he later retracted his comments days later saying,&nbsp;"I condemn the KKK, I condemn all White supremacists, I condemn the Proud Boys."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-backtracks-on-proud-boys-biden-calls-debate-national-embarrassment-331595">Also read:&nbsp;Trump backtracks on Proud Boys; Biden calls debate 'national embarrassment'</a>

Russia still a threat

In the same report, the Homeland Security also stressed that Russia still remains a national threat. It also added that Putin-led administration is&nbsp;"likely primary covert influence actor and purveyor".

The report also hinted that Russia may be using online&nbsp;operations to interfere and manipualte the upcoming US elections to divide and destabilise the country.&nbsp;

In addition to this,&nbsp;China and Iran have also been identified as threats to the country's presidential elections. "The most long term strategic threat to Americans, the Homeland, and our way of life is the threat from China,"&nbsp;Chad Wolf said.

The US Department of Homeland Security has issued its first annual homeland threat assessment, and as per this report, white supremacist groups pose one of the biggest threat to the country.

The US Department of Homeland Security has issued its first annual homeland threat assessment, and as per this report, white supremacist groups pose one of the biggest threat to the country. As per this report, the white supremacist groups have conducted more lethal attacks in the country than any other domestic extremist movement. Also read: Gay community has taken over the Proud Boys hashtag on Twitter "As Secretary, I am concerned about any form of violent extremism," wrote acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf. "However, I am particularly concerned about white supremacist violent extremists who have been exceptionally lethal in their abhorrent, targeted attacks in recent years." The report suggests that these group demonstrate a "longstanding intent" to attack the racial groups, minority communities, politicians who do not share the same views and the members of the LGBTQ+ community. This report has come at a very important time — a month before the US elections that are scheduled on November 03. It also comes days after a controversy broke out when the US President Donald Trump asked the white supremacist group Proud Boys to "stand back and stand by" during the first Presidential Debate. However, he later retracted his comments days later saying, "I condemn the KKK, I condemn all White supremacists, I condemn the Proud Boys." Also read: Trump backtracks on Proud Boys; Biden calls debate 'national embarrassment' Russia still a threat In the same report, the Homeland Security also stressed that Russia still remains a national threat. It also added that Putin-led administration is "likely primary covert influence actor and purveyor". The report also hinted that Russia may be using online operations to interfere and manipualte the upcoming US elections to divide and destabilise the country. In addition to this, China and Iran have also been identified as threats to the country's presidential elections. "The most long term strategic threat to Americans, the Homeland, and our way of life is the threat from China," Chad Wolf said.

Weeks before US election, Homeland Security identifies white supremacists and Russia as big threats

The United Nations on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the worsening situation of right activists, lawyers and people from the political sphere who have been detained in Iran and asked the country to release them in view of the pandemic.&nbsp;

The office of UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said Iran has released some 120,000 people from February, but prisoners sentenced for more than five years for "national security" offences were kept out of the provision.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/terrorist-cell-trained-by-irans-revolutionary-guards-busted-by-saudi-arabia-331051">Terrorist cell trained by Iran's Revolutionary Guards busted by Saudi Arabia</a>

It added that such sentences were given to individuals who are &nbsp;"arbitrarily detained, including human rights defenders, lawyers, dual and foreign nationals, conservationists, and others deprived of their liberty for expressing their views or exercising other rights," as quoted by news agency AFP. &nbsp;

Bachelet in a statement lashed out at these detentions saying the prisoners face more risk of contracting coronavirus in Iran, the country worst affected by the virus in the region.&nbsp;

"People detained solely for their political views or other forms of activism in support of human rights should not be imprisoned at all, and such prisoners, should certainly not be treated more harshly or placed at greater risk," Bachelet said.

Meanwhile, Nasrin Sotoudeh, a human rights lawyer's condition worsened by the hunger strike she launched over the poor condition of prisons in Iran.&nbsp;

Nasrin is under a sentence of more than 30 years on charges linked to her human rights work.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The United Nations on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the worsening situation of right activists, lawyers and people from the political sphere who have been detained in Iran and asked the country to release them in view of the pandemic.

The United Nations on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the worsening situation of right activists, lawyers and people from the political sphere who have been detained in Iran and asked the country to release them in view of the pandemic. The office of UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said Iran has released some 120,000 people from February, but prisoners sentenced for more than five years for "national security" offences were kept out of the provision. Also read | Terrorist cell trained by Iran's Revolutionary Guards busted by Saudi Arabia It added that such sentences were given to individuals who are "arbitrarily detained, including human rights defenders, lawyers, dual and foreign nationals, conservationists, and others deprived of their liberty for expressing their views or exercising other rights," as quoted by news agency AFP. Bachelet in a statement lashed out at these detentions saying the prisoners face more risk of contracting coronavirus in Iran, the country worst affected by the virus in the region. "People detained solely for their political views or other forms of activism in support of human rights should not be imprisoned at all, and such prisoners, should certainly not be treated more harshly or placed at greater risk," Bachelet said. Meanwhile, Nasrin Sotoudeh, a human rights lawyer's condition worsened by the hunger strike she launched over the poor condition of prisons in Iran. Nasrin is under a sentence of more than 30 years on charges linked to her human rights work.

UN asks Iran to release political prisoners, human rights activists

Women in Iran will be able to take part in official powerlifting competitions for the first time, as restrictions have recently been removed.

Iran allows women to take part in official powerlifting competitions

The United States Transportation Department fined Emirates airline $400,000 for flights through Iranian airspace during a time of heightened political tension between the US and Iran last year.

Emirates fined $400,000 for flying over Iran

Iran-backed militias launched rockets to target US troops in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq. There has been no casualties in the incident.

Iran-backed militias launched rockets to target US troops in Kurdistan

A recent apparent rise in the number of children infected with coronavirus in Iran has been worrying parents as the country prepares to impose new coronavirus restrictions amid a surge in cases.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Parents worry as coronavirus cases rise in Iran

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has said that the global body would not give in to US demands to reimpose sanctions on Iran until he gets such nod from its security council.&nbsp;

Last month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a 30-day process that will reimpose sanctions on Iran, a move rejected by 13 of the UNSC members saying that the mechanism is void as Washington left the 2015 nuclear agreement in 2018.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-slap-sanctions-on-over-two-dozen-targets-tied-to-iran-arms-328984">US to slap sanctions on over two dozen targets tied to Iran arms</a>

The secretary-general in a letter addressed to the council president said the "Security Council has taken no action subsequent to the receipt of the letter of the US Secretary of state, neither have any of its members or its president".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-us-faces-maximum-isolation-as-world-powers-dismiss-sanctions-328980">Iran says US faces 'maximum isolation' as world powers dismiss sanctions</a>

He added the UNSC presidents for August and Septembers have indicated that they couldn't take any action in this matter.

Therefore, "it is not for the secretary-general to proceed as if no such uncertainty exists," he added.&nbsp;

Pompeo on Saturday warned of "consequences" to countries that "fail to fulfil their obligations to implement" the sanctions on Iran.&nbsp;

Major US allies the UK, France and Germany on Friday told the council that UN sanctions relief on Iran would continue and any move to reimpose these measures would be incapable of legal effect."

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has said that the global body would not give in to US demands to reimpose sanctions on Iran until he gets such nod from its security council.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has said that the global body would not give in to US demands to reimpose sanctions on Iran until he gets such nod from its security council. Last month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a 30-day process that will reimpose sanctions on Iran, a move rejected by 13 of the UNSC members saying that the mechanism is void as Washington left the 2015 nuclear agreement in 2018. Also read | US to slap sanctions on over two dozen targets tied to Iran arms The secretary-general in a letter addressed to the council president said the "Security Council has taken no action subsequent to the receipt of the letter of the US Secretary of state, neither have any of its members or its president". Also read | Iran says US faces 'maximum isolation' as world powers dismiss sanctions He added the UNSC presidents for August and Septembers have indicated that they couldn't take any action in this matter. Therefore, "it is not for the secretary-general to proceed as if no such uncertainty exists," he added. Pompeo on Saturday warned of "consequences" to countries that "fail to fulfil their obligations to implement" the sanctions on Iran. Major US allies the UK, France and Germany on Friday told the council that UN sanctions relief on Iran would continue and any move to reimpose these measures would be incapable of legal effect."

UN to not reimpose sanctions on Iran until nod given by Security Council: Guterres

The United States on Monday will sanction more than two dozen people and entities involved in Iran`s nuclear, missile and conventional arms programs, a senior US official said, putting teeth behind UN sanctions on Tehran that Washington argues have resumed despite the opposition of allies and adversaries.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said Iran could have enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon by the end of the year and that Tehran has resumed long-range missile cooperation with nuclear-armed North Korea. He did not provide detailed evidence regarding either assertion.

The new sanctions fit into US President Donald Trump`s effort to limit Iran`s regional influence and come a week after US-brokered deals for the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to normalize ties with Israel, pacts that may coalesce a wider coalition against Iran while appealing to pro-Israel US voters ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

The new sanctions also put European allies, China and Russia on notice that while their inclination may be to ignore the US drive to maintain the UN sanctions on Iran, companies based in their nations would feel the bite for violating them.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-us-faces-maximum-isolation-as-world-powers-dismiss-sanctions-328980">Iran says US faces 'maximum isolation' as world powers dismiss sanctions</a> 
 
A major part of the new US push is an executive order targeting those who buy or sell Iran conventional arms that was previously reported by Reuters and will also be unveiled by the Trump administration on Monday, the official said.

The Trump administration suspects Iran of seeking nuclear weapons - something Tehran denies - and Monday`s punitive steps are the latest in a series seeking to stymie Iran`s atomic program, which US ally Israel views as an existential threat.

"Iran is clearly doing everything it can to keep in existence a virtual turnkey capability to get back into the weaponization business at a moment`s notice should it choose to do so," the US official told Reuters.

The official argued Iran wants a nuclear weapons capability and the means to deliver it despite the 2015 deal that sought to prevent this by restraining Iran`s atomic program in return for access to the world market.

In May 2018, Trump abandoned that agreement to the dismay of the other parties - Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia - and restored US sanctions that have crippled Iran`s economy.

Iran, in turn, has gradually breached the central limits in that deal, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including on the size of its stockpile of low-enriched uranium as well as the level of purity to which it was allowed to enrich uranium.

"Because of Iran`s provocative nuclear escalation, it could have sufficient fissile material for a nuclear weapon by the end of this year," the official said without elaborating except to say this was based on "the totality" of information available to the United States, including from the IAEA.

The Vienna-based agency has said Iran only began significantly breaching the 2015 deal`s limits after the US withdrawal and it is still enriching uranium only up to 4.5%, well below the 20% it had achieved before that agreement, let alone the roughly 90% purity that is considered weapons-grade, suitable for an atomic bomb.

"Iran and North Korea have resumed cooperation on a long-range missile project, including the transfer of critical parts," he added, declining to say when such joint work first began, stopped, and then started again. 
Asked to comment on the impending new US sanctions and the US official`s other statements, a spokesman for&nbsp; 
Iran`s mission to the United Nations dismissed them as propaganda and said they would further isolate the United States.

"The US` `maximum pressure` show, which includes new propaganda measures almost every week, has clearly failed miserably, and announcing new measures will not change this fact," the mission`s spokesman, Alireza Miryousefi, told Reuters in an email.

"The entire world understands that these are a part of (the) next US election campaign, and they are ignoring the US` preposterous claims at the UN today. It will only make (the) US more isolated in world affairs," he said.

The White House declined comment in advance of Monday`s announcements.

`Snap&nbsp;back` of&nbsp;UN sanctions?

The US official confirmed Trump will issue an executive order that would allow the United States to punish those who buy or sell conventional arms to Iran with secondary sanctions, depriving them of access to the US market.

The proximate cause for this US action is the impending expiration of a UN arms embargo on Iran and to warn foreign actors - US entities are already barred from such trade - that if they buy or sell arms to Iran they will face US sanctions.

Under the 2015 nuclear deal the UN conventional arms embargo is set to expire on Oct. 18.

The United States says it has triggered a "snap back," or resumption, of virtually all UN sanctions on Iran, including the arms embargo, to come into effect at 8 p.m. on Saturday/0000 GMT on Sunday.

Other parties to the nuclear deal and most UN Security Council members have said they do not believe the United States has the right to reimpose the UN sanctions and that the US move has no legal effect.

On Friday, Britain, France and Germany told the Security Council that UN sanctions relief for Iran - agreed under the 2015 nuclear deal - would continue beyond Sunday, despite Washington`s assertion.

In letters to the Security Council on Saturday, China`s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun and Russia`s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia both described the US move as "illegitimate" and said the UN sanctions relief for Iran would continue.

Also on Saturday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council he cannot act on the US declaration that UN sanctions had been reimposed because it was not clear whether they had snapped back. 
"It is not for the Secretary-General to proceed as if no such uncertainty exists," he said.

Targets include Iran's nuclear, missile, arms groups

The new executive order will define conventional weapons broadly as any item with a potential military use, meaning it could cover such things as speed boats that Iran retrofits to harass vessels in international waters, the US official told Reuters.

It would also apply to conventional circuit boards that can be used in ballistic missile guidance systems, he added.

The more than two dozen targets to be hit with sanctions on Monday include those involved in Iran`s conventional arms, nuclear and missile programs, the official said, saying some of the targets are already sanctioned under other US programs.

That could prompt criticism that the US move is redundant and designed for public relations purposes to look tough on Iran, a charge critics have made about past US sanctions actions.

Among the targets will be Iran`s "most nefarious arms organizations," about a dozen senior officials, scientists and experts from Iran`s nuclear complex, members of a procurement network that supplies military-grade dual-use goods for Iran`s missile program, and several senior officials involved in Iran`s ballistic missile program, the US official said.

The official declined to name the targets, saying this would be made public on Monday, and stressed that the United States wants to deter foreign companies from dealing with them even if their governments believe this is legally permitted.

"You might have a split in some countries where a foreign government may claim that the UN sanctions don`t snap back but their banks and companies will abide by US sanctions because they want to make sure they are not a future target," he said. 
&nbsp;

The United States on Monday will sanction more than two dozen people and entities involved in Iran`s nuclear, missile and conventional arms programs, a senior US official said, putting teeth behind UN sanctions on Tehran that Washington argues have resumed despite the opposition of allies and adversaries.

The United States on Monday will sanction more than two dozen people and entities involved in Iran`s nuclear, missile and conventional arms programs, a senior US official said, putting teeth behind UN sanctions on Tehran that Washington argues have resumed despite the opposition of allies and adversaries. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said Iran could have enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon by the end of the year and that Tehran has resumed long-range missile cooperation with nuclear-armed North Korea. He did not provide detailed evidence regarding either assertion. The new sanctions fit into US President Donald Trump`s effort to limit Iran`s regional influence and come a week after US-brokered deals for the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to normalize ties with Israel, pacts that may coalesce a wider coalition against Iran while appealing to pro-Israel US voters ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The new sanctions also put European allies, China and Russia on notice that while their inclination may be to ignore the US drive to maintain the UN sanctions on Iran, companies based in their nations would feel the bite for violating them. Also Read | Iran says US faces 'maximum isolation' as world powers dismiss sanctions A major part of the new US push is an executive order targeting those who buy or sell Iran conventional arms that was previously reported by Reuters and will also be unveiled by the Trump administration on Monday, the official said. The Trump administration suspects Iran of seeking nuclear weapons - something Tehran denies - and Monday`s punitive steps are the latest in a series seeking to stymie Iran`s atomic program, which US ally Israel views as an existential threat. "Iran is clearly doing everything it can to keep in existence a virtual turnkey capability to get back into the weaponization business at a moment`s notice should it choose to do so," the US official told Reuters. The official argued Iran wants a nuclear weapons capability and the means to deliver it despite the 2015 deal that sought to prevent this by restraining Iran`s atomic program in return for access to the world market. In May 2018, Trump abandoned that agreement to the dismay of the other parties - Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia - and restored US sanctions that have crippled Iran`s economy. Iran, in turn, has gradually breached the central limits in that deal, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including on the size of its stockpile of low-enriched uranium as well as the level of purity to which it was allowed to enrich uranium. "Because of Iran`s provocative nuclear escalation, it could have sufficient fissile material for a nuclear weapon by the end of this year," the official said without elaborating except to say this was based on "the totality" of information available to the United States, including from the IAEA. The Vienna-based agency has said Iran only began significantly breaching the 2015 deal`s limits after the US withdrawal and it is still enriching uranium only up to 4.5%, well below the 20% it had achieved before that agreement, let alone the roughly 90% purity that is considered weapons-grade, suitable for an atomic bomb. "Iran and North Korea have resumed cooperation on a long-range missile project, including the transfer of critical parts," he added, declining to say when such joint work first began, stopped, and then started again. Asked to comment on the impending new US sanctions and the US official`s other statements, a spokesman for Iran`s mission to the United Nations dismissed them as propaganda and said they would further isolate the United States. "The US` `maximum pressure` show, which includes new propaganda measures almost every week, has clearly failed miserably, and announcing new measures will not change this fact," the mission`s spokesman, Alireza Miryousefi, told Reuters in an email. "The entire world understands that these are a part of (the) next US election campaign, and they are ignoring the US` preposterous claims at the UN today. It will only make (the) US more isolated in world affairs," he said. The White House declined comment in advance of Monday`s announcements. `Snap back` of UN sanctions? The US official confirmed Trump will issue an executive order that would allow the United States to punish those who buy or sell conventional arms to Iran with secondary sanctions, depriving them of access to the US market. The proximate cause for this US action is the impending expiration of a UN arms embargo on Iran and to warn foreign actors - US entities are already barred from such trade - that if they buy or sell arms to Iran they will face US sanctions. Under the 2015 nuclear deal the UN conventional arms embargo is set to expire on Oct. 18. The United States says it has triggered a "snap back," or resumption, of virtually all UN sanctions on Iran, including the arms embargo, to come into effect at 8 p.m. on Saturday/0000 GMT on Sunday. Other parties to the nuclear deal and most UN Security Council members have said they do not believe the United States has the right to reimpose the UN sanctions and that the US move has no legal effect. On Friday, Britain, France and Germany told the Security Council that UN sanctions relief for Iran - agreed under the 2015 nuclear deal - would continue beyond Sunday, despite Washington`s assertion. In letters to the Security Council on Saturday, China`s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun and Russia`s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia both described the US move as "illegitimate" and said the UN sanctions relief for Iran would continue. Also on Saturday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council he cannot act on the US declaration that UN sanctions had been reimposed because it was not clear whether they had snapped back. "It is not for the Secretary-General to proceed as if no such uncertainty exists," he said. Targets include Iran's nuclear, missile, arms groups The new executive order will define conventional weapons broadly as any item with a potential military use, meaning it could cover such things as speed boats that Iran retrofits to harass vessels in international waters, the US official told Reuters. It would also apply to conventional circuit boards that can be used in ballistic missile guidance systems, he added. The more than two dozen targets to be hit with sanctions on Monday include those involved in Iran`s conventional arms, nuclear and missile programs, the official said, saying some of the targets are already sanctioned under other US programs. That could prompt criticism that the US move is redundant and designed for public relations purposes to look tough on Iran, a charge critics have made about past US sanctions actions. Among the targets will be Iran`s "most nefarious arms organizations," about a dozen senior officials, scientists and experts from Iran`s nuclear complex, members of a procurement network that supplies military-grade dual-use goods for Iran`s missile program, and several senior officials involved in Iran`s ballistic missile program, the US official said. The official declined to name the targets, saying this would be made public on Monday, and stressed that the United States wants to deter foreign companies from dealing with them even if their governments believe this is legally permitted. "You might have a split in some countries where a foreign government may claim that the UN sanctions don`t snap back but their banks and companies will abide by US sanctions because they want to make sure they are not a future target," he said.

US to slap sanctions on over two dozen targets tied to Iran arms

Iran said Sunday its arch-foe the United States is facing "maximum isolation" after major powers dismissed a unilateral US declaration that UN sanctions on Tehran were back in force.

The administration of US President Donald Trump said the sanctions had been re-activated under the "snapback" mechanism in a landmark 2015 nuclear treaty -- despite Washington having withdrawn from the deal.

As other signatories cast doubt on the move having any legal effect, Washington threatened to "impose consequences" on states failing to comply.

But Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said a concerted campaign by Washington to pressure Tehran had backfired.

"We can say that America's 'maximum pressure' against Iran, in its political and legal aspect, has turned into America's maximum isolation," he said in a televised cabinet meeting.

He praised the UN Security Council's approach to the issue as "very valuable" as it ignored "America's request (and) held no session to consider their request".

The Security Council was what "the Americans always thought of as their point of strength," he said.

The sanctions in question had been lifted when Iran, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (Britain, China, France, Russia and the US) and Germany signed the 2015 treaty on Iran's nuclear programme, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

But Trump withdrew the US from the JCPOA in 2018, saying the deal -- negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama -- was insufficient.&nbsp;

He also renewed and strengthened Washington's own sanctions as part of a "maximum pressure" campaign against the Islamic republic.

The US insists it is still a participant in the agreement that it stormed out of -- but only so it can activate the snapback option, which it announced on August 20.

Iran said Sunday its arch-foe the United States is facing "maximum isolation" after major powers dismissed a unilateral US declaration that UN sanctions on Tehran were back in force.

Iran said Sunday its arch-foe the United States is facing "maximum isolation" after major powers dismissed a unilateral US declaration that UN sanctions on Tehran were back in force. The administration of US President Donald Trump said the sanctions had been re-activated under the "snapback" mechanism in a landmark 2015 nuclear treaty -- despite Washington having withdrawn from the deal. As other signatories cast doubt on the move having any legal effect, Washington threatened to "impose consequences" on states failing to comply. But Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said a concerted campaign by Washington to pressure Tehran had backfired. "We can say that America's 'maximum pressure' against Iran, in its political and legal aspect, has turned into America's maximum isolation," he said in a televised cabinet meeting. He praised the UN Security Council's approach to the issue as "very valuable" as it ignored "America's request (and) held no session to consider their request". The Security Council was what "the Americans always thought of as their point of strength," he said. The sanctions in question had been lifted when Iran, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (Britain, China, France, Russia and the US) and Germany signed the 2015 treaty on Iran's nuclear programme, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. But Trump withdrew the US from the JCPOA in 2018, saying the deal -- negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama -- was insufficient. He also renewed and strengthened Washington's own sanctions as part of a "maximum pressure" campaign against the Islamic republic. The US insists it is still a participant in the agreement that it stormed out of -- but only so it can activate the snapback option, which it announced on August 20.

Iran says US faces 'maximum isolation' as world powers dismiss sanctions

Iran-Iraq war has been the deadliest military conflict in the west asia region. 40 years later we take a look back at this deadly war that killed thousands & divided the region.

40 years since Iran-Iraq war, the war divided West Asia

The US will break with almost every other UN security council member state including its closest allies by declaring UN sanctions back in effect on Iran.

US threatens to take new measures against Iran

Chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Saturday said that Iran will avenge the killing of General Qasem Soleimani. But Guards' chief Major General Hossein Salami maintained that the Guards would do it in an "honourable" retaliation

Soleimani, who headed the Guards elite Qods Force, was killed in an American airstrike near Baghdad airport in January. He was an influential person and key to Iran's defence apparatus that projected influence in the region beyond its borders.

A US media report, quoting unnamed officials, said Iran plans in retaliation to assassinate the American ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, before the presidential election in November.

US President Donald Trump threatened Iran this week with a "thousand times stronger" response in case of any attack on his country, following the report.

South Africa's state security agency said Friday it had found no evidence of such a plot against Marks. 
Guards' chief Major General Hossein Salami retorted to the US president.

ALSO Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-unsc-members-struggle-over-snapback-option-as-iran-sanctions-deadline-looms-328637">US, UNSC members struggle over 'snapback' option as Iran sanctions deadline looms</a>

"Mr. Trump, our revenge for the martyrdom of our great commander is certain, serious and real, but we are honourable and take revenge with fairness and justice," he said, quoted by the Guard's official website Sepahnews.

"You think we would strike at a woman ambassador to South Africa for the blood of our martyr brother? We will target those who were directly or indirectly involved in the martyrdom of this great man," he said.

"You should know, that we will target whoever was involved ... and this is a serious message."

Relations between Washington and Tehran have been tense ever since the Islamic revolution of 1979.

In days after Qasem Soleimani's killing, Iran had shot missiles at bases in Iraq housing US troops. However, Trump had refrained from any further military response.

(With AFP inputs) 
&nbsp;

Chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Saturday said that Iran will avenge the killing of General Qasem Soleimani. But Guards' chief Major General Hossein Salami maintained that the Guards would do it in an "honourable" retaliation Soleimani, who headed the Guards elite Qods Force, was killed in an American airstrike near Baghdad airport in January.

Chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Saturday said that Iran will avenge the killing of General Qasem Soleimani. But Guards' chief Major General Hossein Salami maintained that the Guards would do it in an "honourable" retaliation Soleimani, who headed the Guards elite Qods Force, was killed in an American airstrike near Baghdad airport in January. He was an influential person and key to Iran's defence apparatus that projected influence in the region beyond its borders. A US media report, quoting unnamed officials, said Iran plans in retaliation to assassinate the American ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, before the presidential election in November. US President Donald Trump threatened Iran this week with a "thousand times stronger" response in case of any attack on his country, following the report. South Africa's state security agency said Friday it had found no evidence of such a plot against Marks. Guards' chief Major General Hossein Salami retorted to the US president. ALSO Read | US, UNSC members struggle over 'snapback' option as Iran sanctions deadline looms "Mr. Trump, our revenge for the martyrdom of our great commander is certain, serious and real, but we are honourable and take revenge with fairness and justice," he said, quoted by the Guard's official website Sepahnews. "You think we would strike at a woman ambassador to South Africa for the blood of our martyr brother? We will target those who were directly or indirectly involved in the martyrdom of this great man," he said. "You should know, that we will target whoever was involved ... and this is a serious message." Relations between Washington and Tehran have been tense ever since the Islamic revolution of 1979. In days after Qasem Soleimani's killing, Iran had shot missiles at bases in Iraq housing US troops. However, Trump had refrained from any further military response. (With AFP inputs)

Iran's Revolutionary Guard vows 'honourable' revenge for Qasem Soleimani killing

The men in the audience clapped and the women ululated as the band finished singing: it would have been commonplace except the venue was in Iran and the group on stage were all women.

The catchy rhythmic music they played that balmy night is known as "bandari".

Its lyrics are from ancient folkloric songs, passed down the generations and familiar to many at the concert in an amphitheatre in the southern port of Bandar Abbas.

Only this time, it was being performed by women in front of a mixed crowd.

"It feels as if you have been seen at last" by "a new part of society," said band member Noushin Yousefzadeh, who plays the oud, the Middle Eastern lute.

"All that training has paid off at last."

Dressed in traditional clothing, the band was taking part in a state-organised festival to showcase "Persian Gulf music" and, as well as singing, also played their instruments.

Before long, the audience was ecstatically singing along with the four-piece band.

Such public expressions of joy are usually frowned upon by officials in Iran, which has been under strict Islamic rule for more than 40 years.

Formed in late 2016 after a conversation at the beach between two of the women, the band is called Dingo, which in the local dialect refers to the first wobbly steps taken by infants.

The show -- staged last year -- was only the second time they had performed in front of a mixed audience.

The first occasion was at the Shiraz Oud Festival in July 2018.

"These festivals are a great opportunity because in normal circumstances we cannot sing in front of men," said drummer Faezeh Mohseni.

Many restrictions

When performing for all-female audiences, Mohseni sings solo.

But, informed only a few days before the festival that they had been selected and would be singing to both men and women, the band hastily re-arranged its routine.

"We had to spend all those days rehearsing so that all of us could sing in chorus," said Malihe Shahinzadeh, who plays the pippeh, a type of local drum.

Public singing by women is not a clear-cut affair in the Islamic republic.

No law specifically forbids it, according to Sahar Taati, a former director at the music department of Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, known as Ershad.

Nonetheless, most clerics believe that the sound of female singing is "haram" -- or forbidden -- because it can be sensuously stimulating for men and lead to depravity, she added.

Secular music is generally frowned upon by Shiite clergy, who see it as entertainment that distracts from religion.

Its ban, decreed soon after the 1979 Islamic revolution, was gradually lifted, firstly for "revolutionary" music, meant to galvanise troops in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

Then, the emphasis was put on traditional Iranian music, in contrast to western variants deemed "decadent" by the authorities, who waged a war against "cultural invasion".

After moderate Hassan Rouhani was elected president in 2013, succeeding ultraconservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, staging musical events became somewhat easier.

There are, however, still a myriad of restrictions.

Ershad must approve concerts and it remains almost impossible for a female singer to perform alone, except in front of other women.

But "women can sing to mixed audiences if two or more women sing together, or a female solo singer is accompanied by a male singer whose voice is always at least as strong as hers," said Taati.

That's how a Persian adaptation of the musical "Les Miserables" was performed in Tehran in the winter of 2018-2019, with female solos supported by the voice of another singer in the wings.

Introducing bandari abroad

The members of Dingo, who are all in their mid-20s to mid-30s, had tried a number of times to arrange performances for mixed audiences themselves.

But it was difficult to coordinate and in the end "we just gave up", said Negin Heydari, a former member, who plays the kasser, a smaller drum usually played together with the dohol and pippeh.

So now, whenever authorities arrange festivals and shows like this one in their home town, they apply and hope they will be selected, even if it means not knowing until the last minute if they have been.

But, the exhilaration of playing for mixed audiences is worth all the uncertainty and long hours of practice -- in the "Dingo room", a sound-proof den in the courtyard of one of their parents' homes.

Heydari described how happy her husband of 10 years, Sassan, said he was to be able to see her perform live on stage at last.

The four musicians, two of whom have jobs, feel fully supported by their families and have many dreams for their band, from more performances inside Iran, to playing at venues abroad.

"We want to make Dingo international," said Mohseni, while Shahinzadeh is eager for the rest of the world to hear the music of her hometown.

Their dedication paid off when they won a jury prize for their performance at last year's festival, where they wore colourful outfits with sequins and gold embroidery, traditionally worn in southern Hormozgan province.

Since the concert, Negin Heydari has left the band because of "artistic differences", and her place has been taken by guitarist Mina Molai.

Meanwhile, the Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit Iran particularly hard, has left a mark on Dingo's progress in good and bad ways.

It has dampened the band's hopes of recording an album and prevented rehearsals but also given rise to new ideas.

"The period of confinement has been an opportunity for me to research the music of our region and also to improve my playing technique," said Shahinzadeh.

"Up until now, we've only been doing covers of the bandari folk repertoire, but now we're thinking of creating original pieces," she said.

Taxis and USBs

Despite the religious limitations, female solo singing can still be heard by men in Iran, especially if you catch a taxi in the capital, Tehran.

You may well come across a driver who plays Googoosh, a pre-revolution pop diva, who reemerged in North America in 2000 after years of silence in her homeland.

Another might reach for a USB memory stick with songs by the late sisters Hayedeh and Mahasti, icons of the music scene before 1979 who are buried in California, in the United States.

You could also hear Gelareh Sheibani, a young songstress based on the US west coast whose tunes are finding their way to Iran over the internet.

That's unless your cabbie prefers the Paris-based soprano Darya Dadvar, one of the few women to have sung solo in front of a mixed audience since the revolution.

The men in the audience clapped and the women ululated as the band finished singing: it would have been commonplace except the venue was in Iran and the group on stage were all women.

The men in the audience clapped and the women ululated as the band finished singing: it would have been commonplace except the venue was in Iran and the group on stage were all women. The catchy rhythmic music they played that balmy night is known as "bandari". Its lyrics are from ancient folkloric songs, passed down the generations and familiar to many at the concert in an amphitheatre in the southern port of Bandar Abbas. Only this time, it was being performed by women in front of a mixed crowd. "It feels as if you have been seen at last" by "a new part of society," said band member Noushin Yousefzadeh, who plays the oud, the Middle Eastern lute. "All that training has paid off at last." Dressed in traditional clothing, the band was taking part in a state-organised festival to showcase "Persian Gulf music" and, as well as singing, also played their instruments. Before long, the audience was ecstatically singing along with the four-piece band. Such public expressions of joy are usually frowned upon by officials in Iran, which has been under strict Islamic rule for more than 40 years. Formed in late 2016 after a conversation at the beach between two of the women, the band is called Dingo, which in the local dialect refers to the first wobbly steps taken by infants. The show -- staged last year -- was only the second time they had performed in front of a mixed audience. The first occasion was at the Shiraz Oud Festival in July 2018. "These festivals are a great opportunity because in normal circumstances we cannot sing in front of men," said drummer Faezeh Mohseni. Many restrictions When performing for all-female audiences, Mohseni sings solo. But, informed only a few days before the festival that they had been selected and would be singing to both men and women, the band hastily re-arranged its routine. "We had to spend all those days rehearsing so that all of us could sing in chorus," said Malihe Shahinzadeh, who plays the pippeh, a type of local drum. Public singing by women is not a clear-cut affair in the Islamic republic. No law specifically forbids it, according to Sahar Taati, a former director at the music department of Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, known as Ershad. Nonetheless, most clerics believe that the sound of female singing is "haram" -- or forbidden -- because it can be sensuously stimulating for men and lead to depravity, she added. Secular music is generally frowned upon by Shiite clergy, who see it as entertainment that distracts from religion. Its ban, decreed soon after the 1979 Islamic revolution, was gradually lifted, firstly for "revolutionary" music, meant to galvanise troops in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. Then, the emphasis was put on traditional Iranian music, in contrast to western variants deemed "decadent" by the authorities, who waged a war against "cultural invasion". After moderate Hassan Rouhani was elected president in 2013, succeeding ultraconservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, staging musical events became somewhat easier. There are, however, still a myriad of restrictions. Ershad must approve concerts and it remains almost impossible for a female singer to perform alone, except in front of other women. But "women can sing to mixed audiences if two or more women sing together, or a female solo singer is accompanied by a male singer whose voice is always at least as strong as hers," said Taati. That's how a Persian adaptation of the musical "Les Miserables" was performed in Tehran in the winter of 2018-2019, with female solos supported by the voice of another singer in the wings. Introducing bandari abroad The members of Dingo, who are all in their mid-20s to mid-30s, had tried a number of times to arrange performances for mixed audiences themselves. But it was difficult to coordinate and in the end "we just gave up", said Negin Heydari, a former member, who plays the kasser, a smaller drum usually played together with the dohol and pippeh. So now, whenever authorities arrange festivals and shows like this one in their home town, they apply and hope they will be selected, even if it means not knowing until the last minute if they have been. But, the exhilaration of playing for mixed audiences is worth all the uncertainty and long hours of practice -- in the "Dingo room", a sound-proof den in the courtyard of one of their parents' homes. Heydari described how happy her husband of 10 years, Sassan, said he was to be able to see her perform live on stage at last. The four musicians, two of whom have jobs, feel fully supported by their families and have many dreams for their band, from more performances inside Iran, to playing at venues abroad. "We want to make Dingo international," said Mohseni, while Shahinzadeh is eager for the rest of the world to hear the music of her hometown. Their dedication paid off when they won a jury prize for their performance at last year's festival, where they wore colourful outfits with sequins and gold embroidery, traditionally worn in southern Hormozgan province. Since the concert, Negin Heydari has left the band because of "artistic differences", and her place has been taken by guitarist Mina Molai. Meanwhile, the Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit Iran particularly hard, has left a mark on Dingo's progress in good and bad ways. It has dampened the band's hopes of recording an album and prevented rehearsals but also given rise to new ideas. "The period of confinement has been an opportunity for me to research the music of our region and also to improve my playing technique," said Shahinzadeh. "Up until now, we've only been doing covers of the bandari folk repertoire, but now we're thinking of creating original pieces," she said. Taxis and USBs Despite the religious limitations, female solo singing can still be heard by men in Iran, especially if you catch a taxi in the capital, Tehran. You may well come across a driver who plays Googoosh, a pre-revolution pop diva, who reemerged in North America in 2000 after years of silence in her homeland. Another might reach for a USB memory stick with songs by the late sisters Hayedeh and Mahasti, icons of the music scene before 1979 who are buried in California, in the United States. You could also hear Gelareh Sheibani, a young songstress based on the US west coast whose tunes are finding their way to Iran over the internet. That's unless your cabbie prefers the Paris-based soprano Darya Dadvar, one of the few women to have sung solo in front of a mixed audience since the revolution.

All-women band in Iran struggles to break through

Will Trump's plan bring peace in West Asia? There is no doubt that this deal is a win-win for all parties involved. But what is the future of Palestine? And will this end the spiral of violence in the region?

Could it be that Trump's deal is not about the Israel- Palestine dispute at all, but is about taking on Iran?

Three decades ago, Israel established ties with an Arab neighbour. On Tuesday, it made two more friends in the south lawn of the White House - a historic event. After the signing of the Abraham Accord, brokered by the US, West Asia has re-aligned.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/opinions-blogs/will-they-or-wont-they-saudi-recognition-of-israel-is-the-64000-question-327888" hreflang="en">Will they or won’t they? Saudi recognition of Israel is the $64,000 question</a>

Israel, the chief benefactor of this new deal is promising peace. But the Palestinians are wary, for they believe that they are getting the short end of the stick. As leaders gathered in Washington, people in Ramallah took to the streets. They say the Abraham accord awards Israeli occupation.

The Arabs are trying to strike a balance, with the foreign minister of the UAE choosing his words carefully. He backed a two state solution, even when the phrase seems to be losing diplomatic currency.

A common regional front

Tuesday's deal is the first agreement between Israel and Arab states since 1994 when Israel established diplomatic ties with Jordan. A union of Israel, UAE, and Bahrain, alongside the US could be a move to contain Iran. With this deal, Israel has joined hands with the Gulf's Sunni Arab monarchies. Iran, on the other hand, is dominated by Shiites.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/two-rockets-fired-from-gaza-as-israel-uae-bahrain-sign-trump-brokered-accords-327792" hreflang="en">Two rockets fired from Gaza as Israel, UAE, Bahrain sign Trump-brokered accords</a>

With the Abraham accord, US President Donald Trump has managed to build a common regional front against Tehran. Trump's next move could be to add Saudi Arabia into this new alliance. The president has already promised to bring Riyadh onboard.

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Palestine doesn't get anything from this re-alignment, and has been demanding an end to the devastating 13-year-long blockade of Gaza.

And with new allies by his side, it doesn't look like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will concede even an inch of territory. Already, violence is on the rise in the disputed territories. Hours after the deal was signed, the Israeli military carried out a series of air raids on the Gaza strip. The Hamas is threatening to hit back at Israel. West Asia now has new challenges.&nbsp;

Will Trump's plan bring peace in West Asia? There is no doubt that this deal is a win-win for all parties involved. But what is the future of Palestine? And will this end the spiral of violence in the region?

Will Trump's plan bring peace in West Asia? There is no doubt that this deal is a win-win for all parties involved. But what is the future of Palestine? And will this end the spiral of violence in the region? Could it be that Trump's deal is not about the Israel- Palestine dispute at all, but is about taking on Iran? Three decades ago, Israel established ties with an Arab neighbour. On Tuesday, it made two more friends in the south lawn of the White House - a historic event. After the signing of the Abraham Accord, brokered by the US, West Asia has re-aligned. Also read: Will they or won’t they? Saudi recognition of Israel is the $64,000 question Israel, the chief benefactor of this new deal is promising peace. But the Palestinians are wary, for they believe that they are getting the short end of the stick. As leaders gathered in Washington, people in Ramallah took to the streets. They say the Abraham accord awards Israeli occupation. The Arabs are trying to strike a balance, with the foreign minister of the UAE choosing his words carefully. He backed a two state solution, even when the phrase seems to be losing diplomatic currency. A common regional front Tuesday's deal is the first agreement between Israel and Arab states since 1994 when Israel established diplomatic ties with Jordan. A union of Israel, UAE, and Bahrain, alongside the US could be a move to contain Iran. With this deal, Israel has joined hands with the Gulf's Sunni Arab monarchies. Iran, on the other hand, is dominated by Shiites. Also read: Two rockets fired from Gaza as Israel, UAE, Bahrain sign Trump-brokered accords With the Abraham accord, US President Donald Trump has managed to build a common regional front against Tehran. Trump's next move could be to add Saudi Arabia into this new alliance. The president has already promised to bring Riyadh onboard. × Palestine doesn't get anything from this re-alignment, and has been demanding an end to the devastating 13-year-long blockade of Gaza. And with new allies by his side, it doesn't look like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will concede even an inch of territory. Already, violence is on the rise in the disputed territories. Hours after the deal was signed, the Israeli military carried out a series of air raids on the Gaza strip. The Hamas is threatening to hit back at Israel. West Asia now has new challenges.

Is the US-brokered Abraham Accord a regional front against Iran?

The Iranian government is weighing an assassination attempt against the American ambassador to South Africa. News of the plot comes as Iran continues to seek ways to retaliate for President Donald Trump’s decision to kill a powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani earlier this year.

Iran's plot to kill US envoy to South Africa: Avenge Qassem Soleimani's killing by US

Iran is reportedly considering a plot to kill the US envoy to South Africa

The head of UN's nuclear watchdog said Monday that inspectors would "in a few days" visit the second of two sites in Iran where undeclared nuclear activity may have taken place in the early 2000s.

Iran's refusal to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to the two sites had caused a diplomatic row for months.

This had further strained efforts to save the 2015 landmark Iran nuclear deal, which has hung by a thread since the US pulled out of it in 2018.

The accord promises Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbing its nuclear programme, but Tehran has stepped up nuclear activities since last year after the US reimposed sanctions.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said a visit to a second site, to which the agency had requested access, was imminent following a recent visit to the first.

"The second one will happen in a few days," he told reporters after opening the agency's 35-member board of governors' meeting.

He said analysing environmental samples collected at the first site would take "not less than a couple of months, two or three months maybe".

Tehran announced in late August that it would allow the IAEA access to the two sites, following a visit to Tehran by Grossi.

The denial had prompted the IAEA's board of governors to pass a resolution in June urging Tehran to comply with the agency's requests.

Under the 2015 accord, the IAEA monitors Iran's nuclear activities and regularly updates its members.

In its latest report, the IAEA said Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium now stands at more than ten times the limit set down in the 2015 deal.

Iran is also continuing to use more advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium than is permitted under the deal.

However, the level of enrichment has not gone above that which would be needed for use in a nuclear weapon.

The head of Iran's atomic agency, Ali Akbar Salehi, said Sunday that 1,044 centrifuges were active at the Fordow uranium enrichment plant.

The suspension of all enrichment at the underground facility was one of the restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities under the Iran nuclear accord.

The remaining parties to the accord -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- have called on Iran to return to its commitments, but Tehran insists the steps can be reversed once it realises the economic benefits from the deal.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have spiralled following a US push to extend an arms embargo on Iran that starts to progressively expire in October as well as reimposing UN sanctions on the Islamic republic.

The head of UN's nuclear watchdog said Monday that inspectors would "in a few days" visit the second of two sites in Iran where undeclared nuclear activity may have taken place in the early 2000s.

The head of UN's nuclear watchdog said Monday that inspectors would "in a few days" visit the second of two sites in Iran where undeclared nuclear activity may have taken place in the early 2000s. Iran's refusal to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to the two sites had caused a diplomatic row for months. This had further strained efforts to save the 2015 landmark Iran nuclear deal, which has hung by a thread since the US pulled out of it in 2018. The accord promises Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbing its nuclear programme, but Tehran has stepped up nuclear activities since last year after the US reimposed sanctions. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said a visit to a second site, to which the agency had requested access, was imminent following a recent visit to the first. "The second one will happen in a few days," he told reporters after opening the agency's 35-member board of governors' meeting. He said analysing environmental samples collected at the first site would take "not less than a couple of months, two or three months maybe". Tehran announced in late August that it would allow the IAEA access to the two sites, following a visit to Tehran by Grossi. The denial had prompted the IAEA's board of governors to pass a resolution in June urging Tehran to comply with the agency's requests. Under the 2015 accord, the IAEA monitors Iran's nuclear activities and regularly updates its members. In its latest report, the IAEA said Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium now stands at more than ten times the limit set down in the 2015 deal. Iran is also continuing to use more advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium than is permitted under the deal. However, the level of enrichment has not gone above that which would be needed for use in a nuclear weapon. The head of Iran's atomic agency, Ali Akbar Salehi, said Sunday that 1,044 centrifuges were active at the Fordow uranium enrichment plant. The suspension of all enrichment at the underground facility was one of the restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities under the Iran nuclear accord. The remaining parties to the accord -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- have called on Iran to return to its commitments, but Tehran insists the steps can be reversed once it realises the economic benefits from the deal. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have spiralled following a US push to extend an arms embargo on Iran that starts to progressively expire in October as well as reimposing UN sanctions on the Islamic republic.

UN nuclear watchdog to visit second Iran site in 'a few days'

Iran on Sunday said that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has cancelled television broadcasting rights of the regional champions' league to the Islamic republic due to US sanctions.

Iran on Sunday said that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has cancelled television broadcasting rights of the regional champions' league to the Islamic republic due to US sanctions. Also read: 'The only regret I have...' - Neymar alleges racism after Alvaro Gonzalez bust-up in PSG vs Marseille According to Iran's football federation, the AFC had written to it cancelling the contract "due to international sanctions." The AFC "also cannot provide the live signal for the group stage of the Asian Champions' League," Iran's official body said. As a form of protest, Iran has written to the AFC. Iran has "sent its representatives to the Asian Champions' League and therefore expects the AFC to prepare the necessary framework for live broadcast of the matches ... so that millions of fans in Iran can watch," the federation said. The United States imposed harsh unilateral sanctions after withdrawing from a landmark nuclear agreement with Iran in 2018. These sanctions were to target key oil and banking sectors. The AFC has not yet officially commented on the matter. Also read: Salah hat-trick saves Liverpool, Arsenal cruise as Premier League returns Asia's club tournament was put on hold since March due to COVID-19 pandemic. However, the tournament will resume on Monday in Qatar. Four Iranian clubs, including Persepolis, Esteghlal, Shahr Khodro and Sepahan, represent Iran in the tournament. Shahr Khodro is set to play the United Arab Emirates-based Al Ahli later Monday. Esteghlal was also scheduled to play the UAE's Al Wahda. However, the Emirati side said they cannot travel after a number of their club members tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. (Inputs from AFP)

Iran says AFC tournament TV rights cut due to 'international sanctions'

Iran has postponed a new trial due to start Sunday of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian woman detained in Tehran for sedition, her husband said.

"Yes, today's hearing was postponed," Richard Ratcliffe told AFP in London. Her Iranian lawyer was told "the case was not happening today", he added.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 41, has spent more than four years in jail or under house arrest since being arrested in the Iranian capital in April 2016 while on a visit to see relatives with her young daughter.

Iranian state television's website Iribnews said on Tuesday that she and her lawyer had been notified of a new indictment, without giving further details or a trial date.

Ratcliffe had said last week that she was due to appear in court on Sunday, and that it was "increasingly clear" she was being held as a "hostage" against a longstanding UK debt to Iran.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who worked for the Thomson Reuters Foundation -- the media organisation's philanthropic arm -- denied sedition but was convicted and jailed for five years.

Her British MP Tulip Siddiq also relayed the news of Sunday's postponement after speaking to Ratcliffe.

"She is relieved, frustrated, stressed and angry. Once again she's being treated like a bargaining chip," Siddiq tweeted. 
&nbsp;

Iran has postponed a new trial due to start Sunday of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian woman detained in Tehran for sedition, her husband said. "Yes, today's hearing was postponed," Richard Ratcliffe told AFP in London.

Iran has postponed a new trial due to start Sunday of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian woman detained in Tehran for sedition, her husband said. "Yes, today's hearing was postponed," Richard Ratcliffe told AFP in London. Her Iranian lawyer was told "the case was not happening today", he added. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 41, has spent more than four years in jail or under house arrest since being arrested in the Iranian capital in April 2016 while on a visit to see relatives with her young daughter. Iranian state television's website Iribnews said on Tuesday that she and her lawyer had been notified of a new indictment, without giving further details or a trial date. Ratcliffe had said last week that she was due to appear in court on Sunday, and that it was "increasingly clear" she was being held as a "hostage" against a longstanding UK debt to Iran. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who worked for the Thomson Reuters Foundation -- the media organisation's philanthropic arm -- denied sedition but was convicted and jailed for five years. Her British MP Tulip Siddiq also relayed the news of Sunday's postponement after speaking to Ratcliffe. "She is relieved, frustrated, stressed and angry. Once again she's being treated like a bargaining chip," Siddiq tweeted.

Iran postpones new trial of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: husband

Iran has executed a young wrestler, Navid Afkari, for allegedly murdering a man during anti-government protests back in 2018 despite massive international appeals for him to be spared.

Iran hangs 27-year-old wrestler over murder during anti-govt protests

Iran said Saturday it condemned a former top judiciary official to 31 years in prison for corruption, one of the heaviest sentences against a former official in the Islamic republic.

Akbar Tabari received the jail term after being convicted of "setting up and heading a bribery network", judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told state television.

The high-profile trial of Tabari, who served in a number of senior roles in Iran's judiciary, opened in June alongside 21 other defendants.

In its ruling, Tehran's criminal court ordered Tabari to pay more than 430 billion rials ($1.65 million) in fines. It also ordered the seizure of illegally acquired properties.

Tabari was also found guilty of money-laundering, for which he was sentenced to 12 years and ordered to pay about 600 billion rials ($2.3 million), said Esmaili.

The judiciary spokesman said the verdict could still be appealed and that, based on Iran's criminal code, Tabari would have to serve only the longest of the jail terms.

Among the properties to be confiscated were four apartments in north Tehran, two business venues in the heart of the capital, and five plots of land in a popular northern tourist resort.

Tabari served as the former deputy head of administrative affairs at the judiciary.

He was later promoted to be the head of executive affairs and then executive deputy under then judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani from 2009 to 2019.

In March last year, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei replaced Larijani with Ebrahim Raisi, a religious conservative, and called on him to work "against corruption".

According to media reports, Raisi sacked Tabari "eight days after taking office" without providing a reason.

Tabari's arrest was confirmed by the judiciary on July 2019.

Two other suspects on trial, Farhad Mashayekh Fereydoun and Rasool Danialzadeh, received sentences of 15 years each.

Two former judges, Bijan Qasemzadeh and Hamidreza Alizadeh, were also convicted of peddling influence and receiving bribes. They were each sentenced to 10 years' jail.

Qasemzadeh is best known for ordering the blocking of Telegram, which had been the most popular messaging service in the Islamic republic at the time.

According to Esmaili, the trial is still ongoing for some of the other suspects.

The rare proceedings were broadcast live on state television and widely covered in local media.

A touch of mystery was added to the case following the unexplained death of a fugitive judge also implicated in the case.

Gholamreza Mansouri, 52, had fled Iran last year, first going to Germany and then moving to Romania.

He plunged from a top floor of his hotel in Bucharest with his death considered to be a suicide.

Mansouri was wanted over receiving a 500,000-euro ($592,000) bribe.

Iran said Saturday it condemned a former top judiciary official to 31 years in prison for corruption, one of the heaviest sentences against a former official in the Islamic republic.

Iran said Saturday it condemned a former top judiciary official to 31 years in prison for corruption, one of the heaviest sentences against a former official in the Islamic republic. Akbar Tabari received the jail term after being convicted of "setting up and heading a bribery network", judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told state television. The high-profile trial of Tabari, who served in a number of senior roles in Iran's judiciary, opened in June alongside 21 other defendants. In its ruling, Tehran's criminal court ordered Tabari to pay more than 430 billion rials ($1.65 million) in fines. It also ordered the seizure of illegally acquired properties. Tabari was also found guilty of money-laundering, for which he was sentenced to 12 years and ordered to pay about 600 billion rials ($2.3 million), said Esmaili. The judiciary spokesman said the verdict could still be appealed and that, based on Iran's criminal code, Tabari would have to serve only the longest of the jail terms. Among the properties to be confiscated were four apartments in north Tehran, two business venues in the heart of the capital, and five plots of land in a popular northern tourist resort. Tabari served as the former deputy head of administrative affairs at the judiciary. He was later promoted to be the head of executive affairs and then executive deputy under then judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani from 2009 to 2019. In March last year, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei replaced Larijani with Ebrahim Raisi, a religious conservative, and called on him to work "against corruption". According to media reports, Raisi sacked Tabari "eight days after taking office" without providing a reason. Tabari's arrest was confirmed by the judiciary on July 2019. Two other suspects on trial, Farhad Mashayekh Fereydoun and Rasool Danialzadeh, received sentences of 15 years each. Two former judges, Bijan Qasemzadeh and Hamidreza Alizadeh, were also convicted of peddling influence and receiving bribes. They were each sentenced to 10 years' jail. Qasemzadeh is best known for ordering the blocking of Telegram, which had been the most popular messaging service in the Islamic republic at the time. According to Esmaili, the trial is still ongoing for some of the other suspects. The rare proceedings were broadcast live on state television and widely covered in local media. A touch of mystery was added to the case following the unexplained death of a fugitive judge also implicated in the case. Gholamreza Mansouri, 52, had fled Iran last year, first going to Germany and then moving to Romania. He plunged from a top floor of his hotel in Bucharest with his death considered to be a suicide. Mansouri was wanted over receiving a 500,000-euro ($592,000) bribe.

Iran ex-judiciary official gets 31 years for graft

The Iranian navy began a three-day exercise in the Sea of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, deploying an array of warships, drones and missiles.

One of the exercise's objectives is to devise "tactical offensive and defensive strategies for safeguarding the country's territorial waters and shipping lanes," the military said on its website.

The navy will test-fire surface-to-surface and shore-to-sea cruise missiles and torpedoes, and rocket-launching systems fitted on warships, submarines, aircraft and drones, it added.

Dubbed "Zolfaghar 99", the exercise will be held over two million square kilometres (772,000 square miles) of sea stretching from the northern part of the Indian Ocean to the eastern end of the Strait of Hormuz, the sensitive shipping lane from the Gulf through which a fifth of world oil output passes.

The exercise's spokesman, Commodore Shahram Irani, said that foreign aircraft, especially US drones, had been warned to steer clear of the area.

"We saw focused activities by American UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to gather information" on the exercise, he told the armed forces' website, adding that the US aircraft had since left the area.

In July, Iran's ideological force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, blasted a mock-up of a US aircraft carrier with missiles during an exercise near the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Navy condemned those manoeuvres as "irresponsible and reckless", and an attempt "to intimidate and coerce".

Tensions between Iran and the United States have soared since President Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark nuclear agreement with Tehran in 2018 and unilaterally reimposed crippling economic sanctions.

Their animosity deepened after a US drone strike killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani outside Baghdad airport in January, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile strikes against bases used by the US military in neighbouring Iraq.

The Iranian navy began a three-day exercise in the Sea of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, deploying an array of warships, drones and missiles.

The Iranian navy began a three-day exercise in the Sea of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, deploying an array of warships, drones and missiles. One of the exercise's objectives is to devise "tactical offensive and defensive strategies for safeguarding the country's territorial waters and shipping lanes," the military said on its website. The navy will test-fire surface-to-surface and shore-to-sea cruise missiles and torpedoes, and rocket-launching systems fitted on warships, submarines, aircraft and drones, it added. Dubbed "Zolfaghar 99", the exercise will be held over two million square kilometres (772,000 square miles) of sea stretching from the northern part of the Indian Ocean to the eastern end of the Strait of Hormuz, the sensitive shipping lane from the Gulf through which a fifth of world oil output passes. The exercise's spokesman, Commodore Shahram Irani, said that foreign aircraft, especially US drones, had been warned to steer clear of the area. "We saw focused activities by American UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to gather information" on the exercise, he told the armed forces' website, adding that the US aircraft had since left the area. In July, Iran's ideological force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, blasted a mock-up of a US aircraft carrier with missiles during an exercise near the Strait of Hormuz. The US Navy condemned those manoeuvres as "irresponsible and reckless", and an attempt "to intimidate and coerce". Tensions between Iran and the United States have soared since President Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark nuclear agreement with Tehran in 2018 and unilaterally reimposed crippling economic sanctions. Their animosity deepened after a US drone strike killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani outside Baghdad airport in January, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile strikes against bases used by the US military in neighbouring Iraq.

Iran holds naval exercise near sensitive Strait of Hormuz

Iran's nuclear body said Tuesday it had launched a new "advanced centrifuges" facility to replace one badly damaged by "sabotage" at its main Natanz nuclear fuel plant in July.

"It was decided to create a more modern, larger and more improved station in the heart of the mountains around Natanz, and the implementation of this project has started," Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran's atomic agency, said on state television.

"We started the preliminary work by supplying the equipment and setting up a series of production chambers for advanced centrifuges," he added, without giving further details.

Advanced centrifuges are used in the process of uranium enrichment.

Iran said last month that an explosion at its plant in Natanz had been caused by "sabotage".

After the July explosion, Iran sent warnings to Washington and Israel, two countries which accuse Tehran of developing a secret military nuclear programme, claims Iran has always denied.

On Sunday, Iranian atomic energy spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said that after investigations into the Natanz explosion they had identified the "elements" responsible. No further details were given.

The 2015 nuclear agreement has been faltering since US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew in 2018 from an international accord that gave Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme.

In retaliation to the US withdrawal, the Islamic republic started producing uranium at a higher grade than allowed under the deal.

Last week, the UN's nuclear watchdog said that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium stands at more than ten times the limit set down in the 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran's nuclear body said Tuesday it had launched a new "advanced centrifuges" facility to replace one badly damaged by "sabotage" at its main Natanz nuclear fuel plant in July.

Iran's nuclear body said Tuesday it had launched a new "advanced centrifuges" facility to replace one badly damaged by "sabotage" at its main Natanz nuclear fuel plant in July. "It was decided to create a more modern, larger and more improved station in the heart of the mountains around Natanz, and the implementation of this project has started," Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran's atomic agency, said on state television. "We started the preliminary work by supplying the equipment and setting up a series of production chambers for advanced centrifuges," he added, without giving further details. Advanced centrifuges are used in the process of uranium enrichment. Iran said last month that an explosion at its plant in Natanz had been caused by "sabotage". After the July explosion, Iran sent warnings to Washington and Israel, two countries which accuse Tehran of developing a secret military nuclear programme, claims Iran has always denied. On Sunday, Iranian atomic energy spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said that after investigations into the Natanz explosion they had identified the "elements" responsible. No further details were given. The 2015 nuclear agreement has been faltering since US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew in 2018 from an international accord that gave Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. In retaliation to the US withdrawal, the Islamic republic started producing uranium at a higher grade than allowed under the deal. Last week, the UN's nuclear watchdog said that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium stands at more than ten times the limit set down in the 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran launches new 'advanced' nuclear centrifuges after Natanz plant explosion

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is scheduled to leave for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers` meet in Moscow on Tuesday. Dr S Jaishankar will have a short halt in Tehran (Iran).&nbsp;

He is likely to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif today, said sources. Earlier on Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the joint meeting of the Defence Ministers of CIS, the SCO and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Moscow.

Russia reiterated its policy of no arms supply to Pakistan following India`s request on the same, according to sources.

Russia made the commitment during the meeting between Singh and his Russian counterpart Gen Sergey Shoigu in Moscow, sources said.

Singh was on a three-day visit to Russia for attending the combined meeting of Defence Ministers of the SCO and participating in the 75th-anniversary event to commemorate Victory Day.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is scheduled to leave for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers` meet in Moscow on Tuesday. Dr S Jaishankar will have a short halt in Tehran (Iran).

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is scheduled to leave for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers` meet in Moscow on Tuesday. Dr S Jaishankar will have a short halt in Tehran (Iran). He is likely to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif today, said sources. Earlier on Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the joint meeting of the Defence Ministers of CIS, the SCO and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Moscow. Russia reiterated its policy of no arms supply to Pakistan following India`s request on the same, according to sources. Russia made the commitment during the meeting between Singh and his Russian counterpart Gen Sergey Shoigu in Moscow, sources said. Singh was on a three-day visit to Russia for attending the combined meeting of Defence Ministers of the SCO and participating in the 75th-anniversary event to commemorate Victory Day.

Meeting of SCO foreign ministers: Jaishankar set to make stopover in Iran en route to Russia 

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will make a stopover in Iran this week as part of his key Moscow visit. During the Iran stopover, he could meet his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif, details of which are still being decided.&nbsp;Javad Zarif had visited India earlier this year to be part Raisina Dialogue.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/french-defence-minister-florence-parly-to-visit-india-to-attend-rafale-induction-ceremony-325751" hreflang="en">French Defence Minister Florence Parly to visit India to attend Rafale induction ceremony</a>

EAM will be visiting Moscow for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization or SCO meet.&nbsp;India, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are part of the SCO grouping. Iran is an observer member of the grouping.

This will be the 2nd time any top Indian minister is visiting Iran within a week. Defence minister Rajnath Singh had visited Iran over the weekend while coming from Russia and meet with Iran's Defence Minister&nbsp;Brigadier General Amir Hatami.

During Rajnath Singh's visit, Afghanistan and regional security were discussed in over one hour long bilateral.

The high-level visits by India to Iran are been considered as a major reached out by New Delhi to a country it considers part of its extended neighbourhood. Iran plays an important role in India's connectivity project via Chabahar port that provides it link to Afghanistan and wider Central Asian region.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will make a stopover in Iran this week as part of his key Moscow visit. During the Iran stopover, he could meet his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif, details of which are still being decided.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will make a stopover in Iran this week as part of his key Moscow visit. During the Iran stopover, he could meet his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif, details of which are still being decided. Javad Zarif had visited India earlier this year to be part Raisina Dialogue. Also read: French Defence Minister Florence Parly to visit India to attend Rafale induction ceremony EAM will be visiting Moscow for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization or SCO meet. India, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are part of the SCO grouping. Iran is an observer member of the grouping. This will be the 2nd time any top Indian minister is visiting Iran within a week. Defence minister Rajnath Singh had visited Iran over the weekend while coming from Russia and meet with Iran's Defence Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami. During Rajnath Singh's visit, Afghanistan and regional security were discussed in over one hour long bilateral. The high-level visits by India to Iran are been considered as a major reached out by New Delhi to a country it considers part of its extended neighbourhood. Iran plays an important role in India's connectivity project via Chabahar port that provides it link to Afghanistan and wider Central Asian region.

India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to visit Iran

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